Santa Ana homeless

Basil Kimbrew, a French chef from Moreno Valley who organizes free meals at the Civic Center in Santa Ana at least twice a month, on Sept. 6 asked the City Council to work with him on outreach work or provide cooking lessons to those living in the streets.

(Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times)

Sept. 6, 2016 10:13 PM PT

A crowd listens to speakers address the Santa Ana City Council as members consider voting to declare the area’s homeless encampment a “public health and safety crisis.”

(Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times)

Santa Ana City Council Mayor Pro Tem Vicente Sarmiento, left, and Mayor Miguel Pulido listen to a speaker make a point as they consider the homeless problem.

(Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times)

Tim Houchen, a homeless advocate, addresses the City Council.

(Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times)

Homeless men, women, children and animals and their belongings take over much of the Santa Ana Civic Center complex.

(Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times)

The homeless encampment at the Santa Ana Civic Center.

The homeless encampment at the Civic Center.

(Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times)

Bonnie Smith, who has been on the streets on and off since the age of 12, rests under an umbrella at the homeless encampment.

(Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times)

Government workers in the Civic Center say they are fearful of the homeless staying there.

(Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times)

Many residents and social workers voiced worries that a City Council resolution allows for the criminalization of the homeless because it calls for beefed-up policing and stricter enforcement.

(Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times)

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Santa Ana homeless

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